Receive one-on-one business development assistance for their nine-year term from dedicated Business Opportunity Specialists focused on helping firms grow and accomplish their business objectives
Pursue opportunity for mentorship from experienced and technically capable firms through the SBA Mentor-Protégé program
Connect with procurement and compliance experts who understand regulations in the context of business growth, finance, and government contracting
Pursue joint ventures with established businesses to increase capacity
Qualify to receive federal surplus property on a priority basis
Receive free training from SBA’s 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance program
The 8(a) certification qualifies your business as eligible to compete for the program’s sole-source and competitive set-aside contracts. The government authorizes sole-source contracts to 8(a) participants for up to $7.5 million for acquisitions assigned manufacturing North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes and $4.5 million for all other acquisitions. Entity-owned 8(a) program participants are eligible for sole-source contracts above these thresholds, but the Department of Defense requires approval of a formal justification if the 8(a) sole-source contract exceeds $100 million; all other federal agencies require approval for sole-source 8(a) contract actions that exceed $25 million.
8(a) program participants are eligible to compete for contract awards under other socio-economic programs or small business set-asides they qualify for.